Whitley on Wine

ROBERT WHITLEY

CRITICS CHALLENGE 2004
COMPETITION RESULTS, Pg. 1

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Acacia Winery
	Critics Award	2002	Acacia Pinot Noir	Carneros	$20.00	Ripe fruit, dark color, firm tannins -- MT

Amity Vineyards
	Critics Award	2002	Amity Select Cluster Riesling	Oregon	$40.00	Ripe apple and apricot nose, luscious, spicy finish -- SB

Amphora Winery
	Critics Gold	2002	Amphora "La Loma Block" Zinfandel, Mounts Vineyard	Dry Creek Valley	$28.00	Excessive in every way, but carries it off -- BS

Anapamu Cellars
	Critics Award	2001	Anapamu Riesling	Monterey County	$16.00	Aged petrol, dry finish -- GB
	Critics Gold	2001	Anapamu Syrah	Paso Robles	$20.00	Pleasant, light... fruity -- EM
	Critics Gold	2002	Anapamu Chardonnay	Monterey County	$16.00	Good texture and length -- GB

B. R. Cohn
	Critics Award	2001	B. R. Cohn Olive Hill Estate Cabernet Sauvignon	Sonoma Valley	$40.00	Smoky cherry nose, rounded and fleshy -- SB

Baileyana Winery
	Critics Award	2002	Baileyana Pinot Noir, Firepeak Vineyard	Edna Valley	$23.00	Ripe, pure fruit with a long, intriquing finish -- MA
	Critics Gold	2001	Baileyana Syrah	Edna Valley	$18.00	Deeply colored and intensely flavored -- EM

Banfi Vintners
	Critics Award	2002	Principessa Perlante Gavi	Cortese, Italy	$12.00	Very faint effervescence, interesting and pleasant -- MF

Barboursville Vineyards
	Critics Award	2001	Barboursville Vineyards Octagon V Edition	Virginia	$29.00	Rich and deeply flavored, with soft textures -- MF
	Critics Gold	2001	Barboursville Vineyards Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon	Virginia	$24.00	Dense and opulent with black fruit... big, bold style -- MA
	Critics Gold	2002	Barboursville Vineyards Reserve Barbera	Virginia	$21.00	Meaty, rough... but very enjoyable -- BS

Barefoot Cellars
	Critics Award	2001	Barefoot Cellars Reserve Impression	Alexander Valley	$17.99	Deep, sweet fruit with fine finishing tannins -- MF
	Critics Award	NV	Barefoot on the Beach Red	California	$3.99	High acidity will make it a nice food wine -- MT
	Critics Award	NV	Barefoot Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon	California	$5.99	A bit young, but a super, woody, earthy cab -- NP
	Critics Platinum	2001	Barefoot Cellars Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon	Dry Creek Valley	$14.99	Plummy, ripe cabernet -- NP
	Critics Award	2002	Barefoot Cellars Reserve Pinot Noir	Russian River Valley	$12.99	Great nose of fruit and earth -- MA
	Critics Gold	NV	Barefoot Cellars White Zinfandel	California	$3.99	Undemanding, but with good fruit and acidity -- MT
	Critics Award	NV	Barefoot Cellars Chardonnay	California	$5.99	Exciting, attractive nose -- MA
	Critics Award	2002	J. Lynne Chardonnay, Cameron Ranch	Russian River Valley	$23.00	Lovely toast, creamy texture -- MA

Bargetto Winery
	Critics Award	2003	Bargetto Pinot Grigio	California	$16.00	A bit rich for grigio, but soft and very generous -- MF

Barnwood Vineyards
	Critics Award	2001	Barnwood Cabernet Sauvignon	Santa Barbara County	$22.00	Bright cabernet fruit with good tannins -- NP

Barton & Guestier
	Critics Award	2002	Barton & Guestier Vouvray	Vouvray, France	$9.00	Classic aromas and flavors -- EM

Beaulieu Vineyard
	Critics Award	2000	Beaulieu Reserve Tapestry	Napa Valley	$40.00	Big, rich and ripe ... but beautifully balanced. Bravo! -- PL
	Critics Gold	2000	Beaulieu Dulcet Reserve	Napa Valley	$35.00	Herbal, but with an appealingly smooth mouthfeel -- LS
	Critics Award	2002	Beaulieu Beauzeaux	Napa Valley	$19.00	It has fruit but also a blast of tannins -- MT
	Critics Award	2001	Beaulieu Cabernet Sauvignon	Rutherford	$25.00	Round, fruit forward, easy to like New World cabernet -- NP
	Critics Award	2001	Beaulieu Merlot	Napa Valley	$17.00	Deep aromas and flavors of plum, berries, and cocoa -- MF
	Critics Award	2002	Beaulieu Pinot Noir	Carneros	$18.00	Nicely balanced and a little exotic -- MA
	Critics Gold	2002	Beaulieu Chardonnay	Carneros	$18.00	Lovely nose and balance... persistant -- MA

Beringer Vineyards
	Critics Gold	2002	Beringer Alluvium Blanc	Knights Valley	$16.00	Rich and lush with a long finish -- PL
	Critics Award	2000	Beringer Cabernet Sauvignon	Knights Valley	$27.00	Deep black fruit, a big wine. Excellent -- MA
	Critics Gold	2002	Beringer Gewurztraminer	California	$8.00	Nicely made -- BS
	Critics Award	2001	Beringer Founder's Estate Merlot	California	$12.00	Attractive spice on the nose, layered fruit and well balanced -- MA
	Critics Award	2001	Stone Cellars Merlot	California	$8.00	Ripe and soft with mild tannins and a slightly chewy finish -- MA
	Critics Award	2003	Beringer Johannisberg Riesling	California	$7.00	Floral aromas and balanced flavors -- MT
	Critics Award	2003	Beringer White Zinfandel	California	$6.00	Lively, pleasant, good fruit and balance -- MA
	Critics Award	2002	Beringer Sauvignon Blanc	Napa Valley	$12.00	Dry, good acidity ... good with food -- EM
	Critics Award	NV	Beringer White Sparkling Zinfandel	California	$10.99	Fresh, juicy and fun, nice fruit and no pretensions -- MF

Bighorn Cellars
	Critics Award	2000	Bighorn Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, Coombsville Vineyard	Napa Valley	$30.00	Great cab! Good fruit with excellent balance! -- EM
	Critics Award	2002	Bighorn Cellars Chardonnay	Napa Valley	$16.00	Fresh, with ample fruit and persistent flavor -- SB
	Critics Award	2002	Bighorn Cellars Chardonnay	Carneros	$18.00	Ripe citrus nose, notes of peach...clean, nutty...good length -- SB

Biltmore Estate Wine Company
	Critics Gold	NV	Biltmore Estate Marsanne Viognier	American	$12.99	Nutty and rich ... very nicely balanced -- PL
	Critics Award	NV	Biltmore Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Blanc de Noir	American	$9.99	A smooth sipper that finishes with a slight grip on the pallet -- MT
	Critics Gold	2002	Biltmore Estate Chateau Reserve Cabernet Franc	North Carolina		Raspberry jam, anyone. Very nice -- RW
	Critics Award	NV	Biltmore Estate Sparkling Blanc de Blanc	American	$19.99	Fresh apple flavors with appealing toasty undertones -- MF
	Critics Award	2002	Biltmore Estate Chateau Reserve Chardonnay	North Carolina	$14.99	Toasty... intense nose... balanced -- MA

Black Coyote
	Critics Gold	2001	Black Coyote Cabernet Sauvignon, Bates Creek Vineyard	Napa Valley	$25.00	Rich, bold, juicy, spicy ... vigorous! -- SB

Bonny Doon Vineyard
	Critics Award	2001	Madiran "Heart of Darkness"	France	$18.00	Appealing despite hard tannins -- MT
	Critics Award	2001	Le Cigare Volant	California	$32.00	A spicy, berry nose with full tannins and good fruit -- GB
	Critics Award	2001	Il Circo Uva di Troia "La Violetta"	Castel Del Monte	$15.00	Packed with bright fresh fruit -- NP
	Critics Award	2002	Ca del Solo Sangiovese, "Il Fiasco"	Monterey	$15.00	Elegant, delicate and long -- SB

Bonterra
	Critics Platinum	2001	Bonterra Cabernet Sauvignon	North Coast	$14.99	Fresh, clean and juicy ... concentrated ... ripe tannins -- SB
	Critics Platinum	2001	Bonterra Merlot	Mendocino County	$14.99	Fleshy, juicy but with grip and intensity -- GB
	Critics Gold	2001	Bonterra Syrah	Mendocino County	$18.99	Very long... impressive complexity in the finish -- PL
	Critics Gold	2002	Bonterra Chardonnay	Mendocino County	$14.99	Classic chardonnay flavors, extremely satisfying and well-balanced -- MT

Brancott Vineyards
	Critics Gold	2002	Brancott Reserve Pinot Noir	Marlborough, New Zealand	$18.00	Complex aromas of dark plum and cola -- MT
	Critics Award	2003	Brancott Reserve Sauvignon Blanc	Marlborough, New Zealand	$18.00	Dry, grassy, New Zealand style Sauvignon Blanc -- NP

Brassfield Estate
	Critics Award	2003	Brassfield Estate Serenity	Lake County	$13.99	Flowery nose...broad...acidity balances residual sugar -- SB
	Critics Award	2002	Brassfield Estate Zinfandel	Lake County	$18.99	Smoke and berries, neatly crafted -- MT
	Critics Gold	2003	Brassfield Estate Sauvignon Blanc	Lake County	$14.99	Fresh lemony bite -- NP
	Critics Gold	2002	Brassfield Estate Syrah	Lake County	$21.99	Bright red berry fruit... fun and fresh -- PL
	Critics Award	2003	Brassfield Estate Pinot Grigio	Lake County	$15.99	Ripe but fresh fruit, with nice amounts of smoke and minerals -- MF

Bulgarian Master Vintners
	Critics Gold	NV	Peshterska Muscat Grappa	Peshtera, Bulgaria	$18.00	Perfumed and flowery -- NP

C. G. Di Arie Vineyard & Winery
	Critics Award	2002	C. G. Di Arie Zinfandel	Shenandoah Valley	$25.00	Slightly restrained style, fruit lingers shyly in background -- MT
	Critics Award	2002	C. G. Di Arie "Southern Exposure" Zinfandel	Shenandoah Valley	$28.00	Soft and elegant, perhaps a wine for those who think they don't like Zin -- MT

Canyon Road Winery
	Critics Award	2001	Canyon Road Zinfandel	California	$10.00	Briary with a rustic, chewy style but appealing and flavorful -- LS
	Critics Award	2002	Canyon Road Shiraz	California	$10.00	A pleasant, good-value wine -- EM
	Critics Award	2002	Canyon Road Chardonnay	California	$9.00	Rich tropical nose, bold...with good acidity -- SB

Carmenet Vineyard
	Critics Award	2001	Carmenet Merlot	Sonoma County	$24.00	Earthy, layered fruit complexity, a luscious, classy wine -- MA
	Critics Platinum	2000	Carmenet Cabernet Franc	Sonoma Valley	$26.00	Elegant...velvety...balanced -- LS

Carpe Diem
	Critics Award	2001	Carpe Diem Pinot Noir	Edna Valley	$31.00	Rich and powerful without losing its elegance... a lingering, spicy finish -- RW
	Critics Award	2002	Carpe Diem Chardonnay, Fire Peak Vineyard	Edna Valley	$25.00	Nice fruit concentration balanced by good acidity -- EM

Casa Madero, S. A.
	Critics Award	2003	Casa Grande Chardonnay	Parras Valley, Mexico		Light, fruity and utterly delightful -- NP
	Critics Gold	2003	Casa Grande Chardonnay	Parras Valley, Mexico		Tangy citrus fruit keeps it fresh! -- NP

Castello Banfi
	Critics Award	1998	Castello Banfi "Poggio Alle Mura" Brunello di Montalcino	Brunello Montalcino, Italy	$75.00	Young, intense fruit, tannic ... needs several years in the cellar -- EM
	Critics Award	2000	Castello Banfi "Summus"	Montalcino, Italy	$63.00	Young, tightly packed... needs 10 years -- EM
	Critics Award	2000	Castello Banfi "Cum Laude"	Montalcino, Italy	$36.00	Rich, very dry and tannic... needs several years -- EM

CE2V
	Critics Gold	2001	CE2V Sangiovese	Napa Valley	$30.00	Dense, concentrated berry nose ... rich, hefty, bold ... excellent! -- SB
	Critics Gold	2002	CE2V Sauvignon Blanc	Napa Valley	$25.00	Full ripe, juicy oaky style and pulls it off with panache! -- LS

Cellar No. 8
	Critics Award	2001	Cellar No. 8 Cabernet Sauvignon	North Coast	$12.00	A good value if not too expensive -- EM

Chaddsford Winery
	Critics Award	2002	Chaddsford Merlot	Pennsylvania	$18.99	Fragrant, oaky nose... fresh, simple and unpretentious -- SB
	Critics Award	2002	Chaddsford Barrel Select Pinot Noir	Pennsylvania	$24.99	Delicate nose... very Burgundian -- MA

Chameleon Cellars
	Critics Gold	2002	Chameleon Cellars Zinfandel	Napa Valley	$21.00	Claret style, a pretty wine... a smoky meaty nose and black cherry fruit -- LS

Champagne Mumm
	Critics Award	NV	Mumm Champagne Cordon Rouge	Champagne	$36.00	Open and generous on both the nose and the palate -- MF
	Critics Award	NV	Mumm Champagne "Joyesse"	Champagne, France	$36.00	Deep, alluring aromas with broad flavors and a lush, creamy texture -- MF

Champagne Perrier Jouet
	Critics Award	1996	Champagne Perrier Jouet "Fleur de Champagne"	Champagne	$120.00	Rich, complex, intensely flavored -- MF

Charles Creek Vineyards
	Critics Gold	2001	Charles Creek Cabernet Sauvignon, La Sonrisa del Tecolote	Napa Valley	$25.99	Complex nose... rich texture... good length -- GB
	Critics Award	2002	Charles Creek Charles Creek, La Sorpresa	Carneros	$24.99	A rich, lush style with spicy oak and a long finish -- LS
	Critics Gold	2002	Charles Creek Chardonnay, Vista del Halcon, Hawk Hill Vineyard	Russian River Valley	$21.99	Ultra-ripe fruit ... melon and pineapple ... fun to drink -- LS
	Critics Award	2002	Charles Creek Chardonnay, Las Patolitas	Carneros	$19.99	Balanced, buttery, fills the mouth -- BS

Chateau Diana
	Critics Award	2003	Chateau Diana Black Oak Pinot Grigio	California	$5.99	Marvelous smoky nose with ripe fruit -- MF

Chateau Preuillac
	Critics Award	2000	Chateau Preuillac Medoc	Medoc, France	$21.00	Tight and tough ... built for aging!

Chateau St. Jean
	Critics Gold	2001	Chateau St. Jean Merlot	Sonoma County	$25.00	Attractive toasty character, structured, lush and long... real merlot -- MA
	Critics Award	2002	Chateau St. Jean Fume Blanc	Sonoma County	$13.00	Lots of great citrus fruit flavor ... very good -- EM

Chateau Trimoulet
	Critics Award	2000	Chateau Trimoulet	Saint-Emilion, France	$29.00	Very Bordeaux! Cedary and leathery, with enough fruit -- PL

Chatom Vineyards
	Critics Gold	2003	Chatom Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc	Calaveras County	$18.00	Citrus aromas with vibrant but balanced acidity -- LB
	Critics Gold	2003	Chatom Vineyards Chardonnay	Calaveras County	$14.00	Chablis style citrus nose...racy, delicious, long -- SB

Claiborne & Churchill Vintners
	Critics Award	2003	Claiborne & Churchill Dry Gewurztraminer	Central Coast	$16.00	Lightly floral, fresh in the mouth with nice acidty and a spicy finish -- LS
	Critics Award	2002	Claiborne & Churchill Pinot Noir	Edna Valley	$16.00	Nice medium body, fine tannin on finish -- MT

Clos Du Bois
	Critics Award	1999	Clos du Bois Marlstone, Marlstone Vineyard	Alexander Valley	$39.00	Robust dark berry flavors, with strong concentration -- MF
	Critics Award	1999	Clos du Bois Cabernet Sauvignon, Briarcrest Vineyard	Alexander Valley	$42.00	Rich and succulent, with good length... ready now -- MA
	Critics Gold	2001	Clos du Bois Reserve Merlot	Alexander Valley	$22.00	Forward berry nose with sweet fruit and good length -- GB
	Critics Gold	2000	Clos du Bois Reserve Zinfandel	Dry Creek Valley	$22.00	Aroma of cassis, full flavored with a good finish -- MT
	Critics Award	2003	Clos du Bois Chardonnay	North Coast	$14.00	Nicely balanced with the oak tastefully restrained -- RW
	Critics Award	2002	Clos du Bois Reserve Chardonnay	Alexander Valley	$16.00	Not overdone in the rich California style -- RW
	Critics Gold